SIMPLY put, President Hakainde Hichilema is not media-shy – and he has proved this with not only the two press conferences he has had, but also the recent media indaba that he hosted.
President Hichilema graced the indaba to interact and engage with
journalists who were toasting their day – the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) – just
the previous day.
Getting a whole head of State to grace the WPFD commemorations has
never been an easy feat – save for the fact that former President Edgar Lungu
officiated at last year’s commemorations at the Freedom Statue.
The fact that he accepted the invitation and spent half the day
there should mean something, at least, especially for all media freedom rights
activists and advocates.
The indaba, which was held on May 4, 2022 at Mulungushi International
Conference Centre in Lusaka, was part of the activities to commemorate WPFD, whose
theme was: ‘Journalism under digital siege’.
Mr Hichilema said with the liberal operating environment his
government has created for the media, there should be professional and factual
reporting. He also said his administration is a friend of the media and he
wants this friendship to be used to improve the media sector.
“The country is in need of media contribution. It will be
difficult to improve conditions of service in the media if the economy is not
doing well,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said Government will not stand in the way of the media but will
work with journalists to advance their profession. “With the freedom, some are
creating headlines based on falsehood. Is that how we should use the freedom?
You are missing what was happening 10 months ago when journalists were abused?”
he asked.
At the indaba, Mr Hichilema, who also encouraged the media to
revive press clubs to promote diversity of news in communities, directed his
ministers to be available to the media when called upon because they have an
obligation to do so.
“I will emphasise this point at Cabinet. They (ministers) have an
obligation and duty to communicate,” Mr Hichilema said.
It is his receptiveness to the media that has cheered and
given hope to media bodies that have been fighting for media rights and freedom
policy reforms. It has undoubtedly given them hope that, maybe, just maybe, the
long awaited bills such as the Access to Information and Zambia Media Council
Bill which proposes self-regulation, will be enacted into law.
Joy Chula is WPFD local organising committee chairperson. She says
President Hichilema’s recent show of willingness to engage the media creates a
conducive environment for journalists to operate in.
“However, our sincere hope is for the ZAMEC bill on media self-regulation
to be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament. We want this to be implemented
as quickly as possible. There are other statutes that require reform and we are
currently working on identifying which ones can be submitted for repeal or
amendment to be in line with what has been proposed by the media,” she says.
Ms Chula adds: “We as the media are expecting these reforms to be
undertaken as soon as possible. We have seen governments come and go, making
assurances which have not come to fruition. We are expectant, going by the
President's pronouncements, but we wait to see these being approved by the new
dawn administration. Steps in terms of engagements are being taken and we hope
this will culminate into the desired goal of media law reforms in Zambia.”
Media Liaison Committee (MLC)
chairperson Enock Ngoma is optimistic that regular engagements with the head of
State will result in positive results for the media fraternity.
“…will not only enhance communication but also a clear
understanding of what the media wants to see in terms of media development,
editorial independence, press freedom and above all, ensuring human rights are
protected,” he says.
Mr Ngoma adds that the regular engagements will ensure that things
move fast. “For example, we need the ZAMEC (Bill) to become law this year. We need
the ATI (Access to Information) to also become law and there are several other pieces
of legislation that need to be amended or repealed such as the Independent Broadcasting
Authority, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and Publications Acts. With
the President, at least he can intervene and engage relevant ministries.
“Going forward, we would like to see pronouncements being
actualised. Issues of press freedom for example should be clearly stated in the
republican Constitution because pronouncements by word of mouth are not
binding. In the event of change of government, no one will talk about
pronouncements, but if things are in black and white, then they can be
respected,” he says.
Mr Ngoma says there is already some progress in terms of independence
of the media and he hopes to see the ATI and the ZAMEC bills being taken to
Parliament this year.
Zambia Media Women Association secretary Mwazipeza Chanda says President
Hichilema's pronouncements at the media indaba have given an assurance that a
free media space remains a priority.
“Law-making in Zambia is not driven by the President's office but
by the various stakeholders. Various media stakeholders have been in constant
consultation with Government wings to have the ZAMEC Bill enacted, but other
media related issues have not been addressed for several years. Restrictions
related to the Public Order Act, Cyber Laws and Access to Information continue
to affect how journalists work,” Ms Chanda said.
Bloggers of Zambia founder, Richard Mulonga says President Hichilema’s
high-level dialogue with different actors in the media gives hope for press
freedom and media law forms.
Mr Mulonga said such platforms are a good because they allow the
President to make clear media policy statements.
“However, what we require are pronouncements that are backed by
practical actions and movements towards media law reforms. The President may be
tolerant and benevolent in this regime to the extent of providing an
environment for media to operate freely, but he is just an individual.
“This is why we need issues of press freedom and freedom of
expression and access to information to be guaranteed and protected by law and
guided by policy, not verbal pronouncements by an office bearer who is also
limited by term of office,” he says.
This article was also published in the Zambia Daily Mail newspaper of May 17, 2022. You can find it on this link http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/about-hh-gracing-high-level-media-indaba/
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